Nate Dogg Makes His Own 'Music'

Perennial hip-hop guest star Nate Dogg has signed with Elektra and set a Dec. 4 release date for his third album, "Music and Me. The first single will be "I Got Love."

Perennial hip-hop guest star Nate Dogg has signed with Elektra and set a Dec. 4 release date for his third album, "Music and Me. The first single will be "I Got Love."

The cousin of Snoop Dogg, Nate has been rapping since the early '90s, but he has released only two independent solo albums, 1998's "G-Funk Classics Vol. 1" (Breakaway) and last year's "The Prodigal Son" (KTR). Nate has become known primarily for his numerous guest raps on hit albums by the likes of Dr. Dre, Warren G., 2Pac, Eminem, Ludacris, and Snoop.

"Music and Me" turns the tables, as the album is packed with shots from the likes of Ludacris, Xzibit, B.R.E.T.T., Dr. Dre, Snoop, Lil' Mo, Tha Eastsidaz, Fabolous, Jermaine Dupri, Kurupt, and Pharoahe Monch. The list of producers contributing to the album is equally extensive, including Dr. Dre, Mike City, Battlecat, Damizza, Mel-Man, Fred Wreck, Dupri, Bink, and Megahertz.

"G-Funk Classics Vol. 1" debuted at No. 58 on The Billboard 200, but only spent five weeks on the chart. Nate Dogg is currently featured on Fabolous' "Can't Deny It," which is No. 15 on Billboard's Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks chart this week.